Railway and Coal Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday stressed on the necessity to increase Plant Load Factor (PLF) of various power plants. Presiding over a detailed review meeting with Power and New and Renewable Energy Minister R K Singh and officials of ministries here, Mr Goyal said that all pithead plants with sufficient coal supply should run at 100 percent PLF. He expressed the desire to hold fortnightly meeting of ministries involved, to review the power situation in the country.

The power supply requirement during the ongoing summer and forthcoming winter season was also carried out in the meeting. Several short-term, medium and long-term measures were also discussed to improve coal stock position in power plants of the country, an official statement said. Comprehensive review of targets for coal production and dispatches by the coal companies was carried out. He stressed on the need for states located far from mines to use provisions under “flexibility of utilisation of coal” rules, so that the coal can be used by those power stations near the coal source. Gujarat and Maharashtra have already been using these provisions. This will enable cheaper power to the respective states and efficient utilisation of rolling stock enabling coal supply for other power stations.

He instructed officials of the three ministries to keep a close vigil on the power production and supply situation in the country and to keep in close touch with Chief Secretaries and Power Secretaries of states.

The Minister emphasised the need to improve turnaround time of rakes by better scheduling of trains and optimum utilisation of traffic blocks, besides, the need to rationalise operational and maintenance practices on the high density routes of Indian Railways. He stressed on reducing terminal detention of wagons inside power plants and coal sidings to generate extra capacity.

Mr Goyal said team effort, better coordination between ministries involved and the rationalisation of work procedures will lead to generation of extra capacity within the existing system and ensure 24X7 power supply for the people.